Jeong Myeong-seok Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison... JMS Victim Maple Says "Justice Really Exists"

Press Conference on Sentencing After Supreme Court Ruling
"Glad No More Victims Will Emerge"

Maple (30), a Hong Kong national female believer who was one of the sexual assault victims of Jeong Myeong-seok (80), the president of the Christian Gospel Mission (commonly known as JMS), said at a press conference after Jeong’s 17-year prison sentence was confirmed, "I have come to realize that true justice exists."

Maple held a press conference on the 9th at the Korea Conference Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where she shared these thoughts. She said, "After a long battle, the answer finally came, and I realized that true justice exists." She added with a faint smile, "I am glad because I believe that real victims will not emerge in the future."

On the 9th, at the Korea Conference Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, victim Maple responded to reporters' questions during the 'Jeong Myeong-seok (commonly known as JMS) Supreme Court Verdict Press Conference.' From left to right: Kim Do-hyung, professor at Dankook University; Maple; and Jo Seong-hyeon, producer of "I Am God." On that day, the Supreme Court upheld the original sentence of 17 years imprisonment in the appeal trial of Jeong, who was charged with quasi-rape and quasi-indecent assault. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Maple said, "It was mentally difficult for me in Hong Kong because of this (lawsuit), and as the news spread, I couldn’t find a job, so my future was bleak," adding, "But now that everything is over, I think I can start anew." She also said, "I want to tell other victims, 'I finished it too, so you can finish it. Stay strong.'"

At the press conference, Professor Kim Do-hyung of Dankook University, who has supported JMS victims, and PD Jo Seong-hyun, who directed the Netflix documentary 'I Am a God' covering the leaders of four religious groups including JMS, were also present.

On the 9th, at the Korea Conference Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, victim Maple is listening to Professor Kim Dohyung's explanation during the 'Press Conference on the Supreme Court Verdict of Jeong Myeongseok (commonly known as JMS)'. From the left, Professor Kim Dohyung of Dankook University, Maple, and producer Jo Seonghyeon of "I Am God." On that day, the Supreme Court upheld the original sentence of 17 years imprisonment in the appeal trial of Jeong, who was charged with quasi-rape and quasi-indecent assault. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Jeong was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2009 for rape and injury charges against female believers and served his sentence before being released. However, even after his release, he committed dozens of sexual crimes, including raping Maple until September 2021, sexually assaulting Amy (31), an Australian national female believer, and sexually harassing Korean female believers. The first trial court sentenced Jeong to 23 years in prison. However, in the second trial, the sentence was reduced to 17 years due to insufficient evidentiary value of the audio recordings, and this sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court on this day.

Professor Kim criticized the reduction of Jeong’s sentence to 17 years in the second trial, saying, "Is it reasonable to reduce the sentence just because the number of pieces of evidence went from 30 to 29 when a rapist committed rape? The judgment should be based on the criminal act, not the number of pieces of evidence."

Jeong is also facing additional charges for raping other female believers and is currently undergoing the first trial at the Daejeon District Court. Regarding the trial status of other victims, Professor Kim said, "Trials for 10 victims are currently underway at the Daejeon District Court. Nine victims remain, and among them, about 7 to 8 are expected to be transferred soon from the Chungnam Police Station with prosecution opinions."

He also mentioned that secondary victimization by JMS believers against the victims is severe. Professor Kim said, "There is continuous coercion and threats to withdraw complaints," adding, "What troubles the victims the most is the delay in investigation and trial," urging for prompt investigation and trial proceedings.

PD Jo said, "I want to ask, 'Why did a foreign woman have to take on this fight?'" He added, "I wonder how much our society stigmatizes women who have been sexually victimized. I hope everyone understands how hard they have fought."

Maple appeared in the documentary 'I Am a God,' revealing her real name and face and exposing the facts of her victimization. The audio recordings Maple disclosed in this documentary were also adopted as key evidence in Jeong’s trial.